after 39 years service to Canada
at Peter Devine’s, next to the Heart and Crown
with 70+ of his finest colleagues
Ode to the Hammer - by Michael Mowatt
It’s
time for us to bid farewell, to our friend of many years
We’ll
raise a glass to him today, and buy him many beers
With
all the reprobates in tow, he’ll end up at the Fax
I’m
sure he won’t remember, as this train rolls off the tracks
He
sits here at the table, with a smile on his face
Because
he knows he’s not at work, he knows he’s run the race
He’s
got no pass, nor Blackberry, to vibrate in his pants,
And
with his new bionic hips, let’s get him up to dance!
Kev’s
been known by many names, I bet you know a few
We
called him Captain in the field, and we were all his crew
His
middle name is Gilmour; at least that’s what I hear
But
you can call him Mr. Johnston, as you’re handing him his beer
The
latest name is Hammer, but I’m not sure what that’s for
Perhaps
it’s really “hammered”; ‘cause he’s been like that before
Most
of you don’t know this, but I can tell you all with glee
The
first nickname I heard he got, was Magnum Pee Wee
Kevin
came to Tokyo, in his role as RTM
The
visit went so very well, I'd do it all again
We
headed to Roppongi, and danced upon the bar,
We
bade farewell at 3am as he got into a car
The
next day was appraisal time; we hadn’t got it done,
As
going out and drinking was priority number one,
I
got to work first thing at 9, and just as you would know it
Kevin
dragged his ass to work at noon and said "Bad judgement, Mowatt"
Let’s
say so long to Kevin, RTM extraordinaire
A
techie and a diplomat; so suave and debonair
Raise
your glass and down a toast to our colleague and our friend,
And
we’ll tell him to remember that it’s the beginning not the end
Cheers!
Photo Credits Above: Jim Rogers Below: Ron Cooke
© OFARTS Canada 2014 - Old Foreign Affairs Retired Technicians, Canada